Okay, so this is finally the epilogue! After two years, I'm actually finished the first story I've ever posted. Thank you sooo much to those of you who stuck by me the entire time, waiting for a year sometimes between posts. I'm still really sorry for that, by the way. I don't know why this was so much harder to write than any of my other stories. But hey, it all worked out in the end.

EPILOGUE- three weeks later

Sam hugged his mom and dad tightly, before leaning down and hefting his luggage onto his shoulder. After the stress of the past month and a half, the teenagers were all taking a trip deeper into Mexico, to get away from the chaos of the refugees for a while.

Laura waved to the Halls, and held her hand out for Sam to take. He intwined his fingers with hers, smiled back at his parents, and turned to load his things into the old, beat-up car they'd managed to buy a week after Sam had been released (which was two weeks ago). Their next stop would be to pick up JD, and then Brian. After that, the group would be on their way towards the Yucatan Peninsula for a couple of weeks of relaxation.

"How you feeling today, baby?" Laura questioned softly, tracing a small circle lightly along his wrist soothingly. Sam smiled at her, and kissed the back of her hand. "I'm feeling better than ever, thanks to you. I'm so excited about this trip, Laur. We deserve this after everything we've had to go thru lately." Laura grinned, and shook her head in amusement.

By the time they'd picked up Brian and gotten on their way, the four friends were itching to hit the bech for some much-needed relaxation. They all took turns driving, Sam driving the least due to some lingering fatigue. When he and Laura weren't driving, JD and Brian took their places in the front. Occassionally the four would fall quiet for an hour or so, where Sam would fall asleep with his head in Laura's lap, with her affectionally stroking his hair.

-

It took them about a day to reach their destination: Cancun. No longer the major tourist spot, it wasn't as crazy as it usually would have been...before the storms. But there were still quite a few people, though it didn't bother the four enough to stop them from enjoying themselves. As soon as they got there, they set up a blanket in a free spot of sand. Sam glanced quickly at JD and Brian, feeling suddenly worried. They smiled supportively, nodding. Sam nodded back, and took a deep breath. "Laura?"

The sole female turned to him, trusting love clear in her eyes. "Yeah, Sam?"

"I, uh...I have a question for you." He slowly bent down on one knee. Tears immediately jumped to Laura's eyes, and her hand flew to her mouth. JD and Brian glanced at each other, smiling brightly. Everyone around stopped and watched the tender moment with a smile. "I know, we're still just teenagers...but...we've been through hell these past two months. I can't imagine living my life with anyone else but you...especially not after knowing how quickly all of it could be taken away. Will you marry me?"

Before he'd even finished his sentence, she was nodding. "Yes! Yes!" she sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck. She kissed his neck, and then along his jaw to his mouth. Applause filled the air, and they both pulled back, startled and happier than words could ever express. They looked at each other, and Laura began giggling. Sam pulled a ring out of his pocket. Laura's eyes widened. "Sam, how-"

"It was my mom's. She wanted you to have it now."

As he slid the ring onto her finger, tears spilled down her cheeks in pure joy. She hugged him one more time, before turning and hugging Brian and JD. The friends celebrated their engagement, and the beginning of their new lives...always together. Always.

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THE END! What did you think? I hope i did it justice, please let me know if I should redo it or anything. I hope you guys liked it! Thank you sooo much for your support!